I have to give you credit. This hike was absolutely brutal! You didn't make it seem as bad as it actually is. We did it this weekend and the first 4 miles are absolutely killer. I wouldn't recommend anyone that is not in peak physical shape to attempt it. The slope at the beginning is around 45 degrees and the overgrowth makes it hard to maneuver through with a pack on your back. One friend fell behind and got lost and ended up sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag, no tent. He was woken up by a big black bear checking him out.
I don't emote well so it's hard to display difficulty, but I'd also consider myself a pretty strong hiker. That sounds like a rough night for your friend, sounds scary. Surprised he didn't just turn around and go back down to the road.
Miss backpacking out in Middle Prong/Shining Rock,when it was just in my backyard. Beautiful area. Anytime of year really. Did some stints in both wilderness areas a time or two. Didn't do this one but I have done some steep hikes. Green Knob being one of them and London Bald for sure,with a 50 lb pack (for my small frame). When I did Black Balsam though,just a day hike,I thought it was just grass but nah,it was tons of blue berry bushes and mountain laurel. Living through this video,since this area isn't super duper close anymore.
Having hiked Black Balsam, Sam Knob, and the MST a bit thru that area..... Middle Prong has interested me. Your video has convinced me that maybe I don't want to hike Green Mountain Trail though! That looks more like climbing than walking.
Great video Zack! I was looking around your campsite in the thunder for the continuation of the Green Mountain Trail. The formal junction of the MST and the Green Mountain Trail is about 0.3 mile south of your campsite. In December of 1998 Johnny Molloy, one of his friends and I started at Sunburst and went up the 1.5 mile gravel road, which I've never figured out why it's closed, to the Haywood Gap Trail. Our first night we camped at the junction of Haywood Gap Trail and Buckeye Gap Trail. On the second day we continued up Haywood Gap Trail to the MST to SR 215 and then to the Flat Laurel Gap Trail. We camped near the junction of Little Sam Knob Trail. It was a miserable day with rain almost all day and a high of 40 degrees. The third day we took the Art Loeb Trail over Tennet Mountain and camped at Shining Rock Gap. No rain on the third day, but it was partly cloudy, windy and a high in the mid thirties. That night at Shining Rock Gap it snowed a couple of inches. On the fourth day we took Ivestor Gap Trail and then Fork Mountain Trail back to Sunburst with a crossing of West Fork Pigeon River in 24 degrees. While we were on Ivestor Gap Trail in the wind Johnny looks at me and said "I love winter backpacking." He only had a few books out at the time and was pretty much broke and couldn't afford any descent winter clothing.
Thanks Dude. Love that area. I almost froze to death at Courthouse Overlook in 77', Nov. 22nd. Transylvania Co. Sheriff's dept. saved me. 8º below 0 and wind @ 45 /55 mph gusts. Was there talking on CB to most of the Southeast with a 75 watt Linear. Numb and sleepy before they got there! Truck had froze up when I turned it off for a very few minutes! Fuel filter had some water and trash in it and all it took was turning it off.
Very nice video...well done! In 2014, I hiked the Green Mt trail from Sunburst as part of a multi day loop starting at Black Balsam It took me all day to cover the 5-6 miles and get to the MTS. I remember being on all fours at times on the first mile or so as it was so steep and slippery. I was pretty sure that would be my first and last thru trek on the GMT. But watching your video gave me reason to maybe try it again...Your knowledge of the surrounding mountains is pretty impressive. Thanks for posting....
I was 58 and my balance probably not as good as yours. At one point it felt like the weight of my pack might cause a backward fall so I exercised caution until the trail was less steep.
Very nice. I have lived in the mountains of NC for many years and I hadn't seen anything about this trail. I think I might take a hike there. I love the waterfalls. I've looked at the Pisgah NF map and like you say only day hikes, however I think if you look close you can connect them and make some great weekend or even week long hikes.
In the video I said I normally take day hikes, but that has nothing to do with the trails on the Pisgah NF map. Unless you are referring to something else? I know plenty of backpacking options, but I don't have the time to do long trips right now.
Loved your TRs! I enjoyed watching and appreciate your knowledge of the various peaks. I wonder, a little, what your experience would be climbing trails in the Northeast -- especially in the Adirondacks and White Mountains of New Hampshire. I would guess that would take "steep" to a new level.
Thank you Julie. I think I would manage ok. I've done numerous trails in the Cascades that average 1,500 ft/mi. I plan on doing a road trip up Northeast this year to bag some of the notable summits, and some less-trafficked ones as well. So I should find out soon hopefully.
@@bigzach322 Let me know if you need any beta / tips ... my climbing log: hudsonvalleyhikers.com/National_Northeast_Highpoints.htm You'll be in my backyard (and this weekend I'm in yours!).
Awesome!!! I've been wanting to do this Wilderness Area too. I've never been there but everything I've seen on it looks good and as you noted way less crowded than Shining Rock. Dang that trail was wicked steep starting out, but worth the effort. That camp site you found was amazing. Nice waterfalls on Day 2, definitely worth missing the game for that LOL!
Thanks Zachary, I was hiking Boone Fork Trail, Grandfather Mountain on this weekend and it was 68 degrees. Perfect weather in the mountains while it's 90 degrees in Denver NC where I live. I really like your videos.
+Zachary Robbins I'm hiking Profile in the morning with my girls. We are so lucky to be close to these beautiful hikes. If you ever need a friend to hike with just let me know. I need more backpacking friends, but there are too many people who are too lazy to do anything. I live in Denver, NC and I'm close to everything.
Where exactly did you start your creek rock hopping on the middle prong? Last summer I did Greasy cove prong and dark prong, which really got me excited about more creek exploration.
Well there's the main Shining Rock Wilderness map, that's the only useful one. Backpacking North Carolina has a version of the trip I took. Other books will only have shorter day hikes, likely the MST from NC 215.
Yeah it's just a little more boring. I end up hiking much more by myself because I don't want to sit around at camp for hours. My typical 2-day weekend backpack solo is between 25-30 miles given my track record. I load up podcasts and the like for my tent at night.
Stumbled on the "Middle Prong Falls" about 30 years ago on a long creek hike with friends as a young man. We had no idea it was there, we didn't know it even had a name and I'll never forget seeing it. I've been looking for information on that waterfall recently and thinking of revisiting it 30 years later. We crawled up onto that rock about a third of the way up and then scrambled up the rhododendrons on the left side to the top. That waterfall is on the middle prong correct? Not on bear trap? Is the easiest way to get to it to take the Haywood gap trail and get on the creek at that crossing with the 15 foot waterfall and follow the creek up? Back in the day we just literally jumped on the creek and hiked it all the way up. It is easily the most astounding waterfall I have ever stumbled upon. We never expected to see anything like that. Truly unforgettable.
That is definitely a hard waterfall to stumble upon lol. It is on Middle Prong. I read the best way to reach it was to scramble down the bank and a creek walk will take a while if you are looking to avoid steep bank scrambles.
The campsite you used was where I camped way back in 2008 or so. After I set up camp I dumped all of my stuff in the tent and went for a walk and got totally lost. Utterly and completely turned around. I actually panicked as the sun was setting and only after I calmed myself down did I get my head on straight and figure out how to hike back to where my tent was pitched. One of the dumbest things I've ever done.
It sucked. I haven't repeated it, although I have temporarily gotten lost a few times since. It did teach me not to panic again and thus my moments of being lost have been just that--lasting only a few minutes.
Man, u got to set your dvr so u want miss any of the game and u can zip thru the commercials. Lol. I like those views of shining rock wilderness u had looking from the west side. I know you r not suppose to have campfires in middle prong but did I c some fire pits? Have u ever hiked to summit of looking class rock? The views up there are as good as I've seen. I hope u got the cords for that campsite, I may camp there sometime. Thanks for sharing
Well my friends were going to a bar, so a dvr would've meant I had to watch it at home. I ended up getting there at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, so it was fine. I saw fire rings at almost all of the established campsites sadly, even though they are banned. One of the only groups I saw made a fire, but I didn't have the heart to tell them it's banned. I've never hiking to Looking Glass Rock, but it's on my list. The GPS coordinates are saved, they'll eventually be up on HikingUpward.
I want to ask you a different kind of question ? What does your family think about you doing these kinds of Hikes ? I do a lot easier hikes and never real long hikes like you do , but still my family cant understand why I do it ! LOL
ok that's good , im really impressed of your knowledge of all the mountain peaks , you seem to know the name of almost every peak anywhere your at ! you should consider doing your own book ? lol
It's something I've considered but there's a lot of good recent books that I use and it's hard to think of a different angle on the NC hiking book. For me it'd have to be something vastly different from your typical waterfalls, North Carolina, or NC regional book. Plus I'm pretty busy as is.
I have to give you credit. This hike was absolutely brutal! You didn't make it seem as bad as it actually is. We did it this weekend and the first 4 miles are absolutely killer. I wouldn't recommend anyone that is not in peak physical shape to attempt it. The slope at the beginning is around 45 degrees and the overgrowth makes it hard to maneuver through with a pack on your back. One friend fell behind and got lost and ended up sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag, no tent. He was woken up by a big black bear checking him out.
I don't emote well so it's hard to display difficulty, but I'd also consider myself a pretty strong hiker. That sounds like a rough night for your friend, sounds scary. Surprised he didn't just turn around and go back down to the road.
Wow that was amazing buddy ty for bring us with u I really enjoyed that whole hike👍😁
Wow, that's a difficult hike, but those spectacular views must have made it all worth it!
Miss backpacking out in Middle Prong/Shining Rock,when it was just in my backyard. Beautiful area. Anytime of year really. Did some stints in both wilderness areas a time or two. Didn't do this one but I have done some steep hikes. Green Knob being one of them and London Bald for sure,with a 50 lb pack (for my small frame).
When I did Black Balsam though,just a day hike,I thought it was just grass but nah,it was tons of blue berry bushes and mountain laurel.
Living through this video,since this area isn't super duper close anymore.
How were the trails around London Bald? I have not hiked in the Appletree/Junaluska area at all and am curious what it's like.
These videos! It's like a public service (((:D Thank you!
Having hiked Black Balsam, Sam Knob, and the MST a bit thru that area..... Middle Prong has interested me. Your video has convinced me that maybe I don't want to hike Green Mountain Trail though! That looks more like climbing than walking.
The first mile is the steepest, it isn't as bad after that. I love difficult trails so I don't mind doing these even with 30+ pounds.
Great video Zack! I was looking around your campsite in the thunder for the continuation of the Green Mountain Trail. The formal junction of the MST and the Green Mountain Trail is about 0.3 mile south of your campsite. In December of 1998 Johnny Molloy, one of his friends and I started at Sunburst and went up the 1.5 mile gravel road, which I've never figured out why it's closed, to the Haywood Gap Trail. Our first night we camped at the junction of Haywood Gap Trail and Buckeye Gap Trail. On the second day we continued up Haywood Gap Trail to the MST to SR 215 and then to the Flat Laurel Gap Trail. We camped near the junction of Little Sam Knob Trail. It was a miserable day with rain almost all day and a high of 40 degrees. The third day we took the Art Loeb Trail over Tennet Mountain and camped at Shining Rock Gap. No rain on the third day, but it was partly cloudy, windy and a high in the mid thirties. That night at Shining Rock Gap it snowed a couple of inches. On the fourth day we took Ivestor Gap Trail and then Fork Mountain Trail back to Sunburst with a crossing of West Fork Pigeon River in 24 degrees. While we were on Ivestor Gap Trail in the wind Johnny looks at me and said "I love winter backpacking." He only had a few books out at the time and was pretty much broke and couldn't afford any descent winter clothing.
That's a loop one of my friends is doing soon. Good way to avoid the crowds in the area.
Beautiful views, trail and waterfalls. This wilderness is going on my list!
It should, it's amazing how few people I saw on the beautiful weather weekend
Thanks Dude. Love that area. I almost froze to death at Courthouse Overlook in 77', Nov. 22nd. Transylvania Co. Sheriff's dept. saved me. 8º below 0 and wind @ 45 /55 mph gusts. Was there talking on CB to most of the Southeast with a 75 watt Linear. Numb and sleepy before they got there! Truck had froze up when I turned it off for a very few minutes! Fuel filter had some water and trash in it and all it took was turning it off.
Yeah that sounds brutal
Epic adventure, the first day looked tough but end up being well worth it. The views and the waterfalls were awesome
Yeah it was a pretty great trip, but tough. Thanks for watching at least a portion of that mammoth video!
Very nice video...well done! In 2014, I hiked the Green Mt trail from Sunburst as part of a multi day loop starting at Black Balsam It took me all day to cover the 5-6 miles and get to the MTS. I remember being on all fours at times on the first mile or so as it was so steep and slippery. I was pretty sure that would be my first and last thru trek on the GMT. But watching your video gave me reason to maybe try it again...Your knowledge of the surrounding mountains is pretty impressive. Thanks for posting....
That trail is tough for anyone. I don't remember having to crawl though, it wasn't too overgrown, just narrow most of the time.
I was 58 and my balance probably not as good as yours. At one point it felt like the weight of my pack might cause a backward fall so I exercised caution until the trail was less steep.
Yeah I understand
Very nice. I have lived in the mountains of NC for many years and I hadn't seen anything about this trail. I think I might take a hike there. I love the waterfalls. I've looked at the Pisgah NF map and like you say only day hikes, however I think if you look close you can connect them and make some great weekend or even week long hikes.
In the video I said I normally take day hikes, but that has nothing to do with the trails on the Pisgah NF map. Unless you are referring to something else? I know plenty of backpacking options, but I don't have the time to do long trips right now.
Loved your TRs! I enjoyed watching and appreciate your knowledge of the various peaks. I wonder, a little, what your experience would be climbing trails in the Northeast -- especially in the Adirondacks and White Mountains of New Hampshire. I would guess that would take "steep" to a new level.
Thank you Julie. I think I would manage ok. I've done numerous trails in the Cascades that average 1,500 ft/mi. I plan on doing a road trip up Northeast this year to bag some of the notable summits, and some less-trafficked ones as well. So I should find out soon hopefully.
@@bigzach322 Let me know if you need any beta / tips ... my climbing log: hudsonvalleyhikers.com/National_Northeast_Highpoints.htm You'll be in my backyard (and this weekend I'm in yours!).
Awesome!!! I've been wanting to do this Wilderness Area too. I've never been there but everything I've seen on it looks good and as you noted way less crowded than Shining Rock. Dang that trail was wicked steep starting out, but worth the effort. That camp site you found was amazing. Nice waterfalls on Day 2, definitely worth missing the game for that LOL!
I actually got back during the 1st quarter, went straight to the sports bar to meet my friends without showering and ate a burger and 12 wings.
Zachary Robbins There is nothing like a good burger after a nice hike!
Thanks Zachary, I was hiking Boone Fork Trail, Grandfather Mountain on this weekend and it was 68 degrees. Perfect weather in the mountains while it's 90 degrees in Denver NC where I live. I really like your videos.
Thanks a bunch. I enjoyed the Boone Fork Trail although it is a bit crowded compared to most places I hike.
+Zachary Robbins I'm hiking Profile in the morning with my girls. We are so lucky to be close to these beautiful hikes. If you ever need a friend to hike with just let me know. I need more backpacking friends, but there are too many people who are too lazy to do anything. I live in Denver, NC and I'm close to everything.
Don't blame me if your feet are hurting tomorrow, have fun! I'll be out somewhere too, who knows yet I usually choose as I drive and scan the clouds.
Great Video Man! I Think Im gonna hit up this trail next week.
Thanks. Just know the state park is typically closed this time of year, so you can only hike up from the bottom.
Where exactly did you start your creek rock hopping on the middle prong? Last summer I did Greasy cove prong and dark prong, which really got me excited about more creek exploration.
I dropped straight down from the trail 35.35247, -82.94372
Thanks so much for the video. I am headed into that area next month- September 2018. Any way I can get your .gpx track file? Thanks
You can download that and maps here www.hikingupward.com/PNF/MiddleProngWilderness/
Thanks, Got it!
Any map recommendations, trail books or sources of GPS data? I was looking at the elevation profile on the first leg of hike - wow.
Well there's the main Shining Rock Wilderness map, that's the only useful one. Backpacking North Carolina has a version of the trip I took. Other books will only have shorter day hikes, likely the MST from NC 215.
I have yet to solo backpack but am quickly concluding it’s a necessity if I plan to backpack much at all.
Yeah it's just a little more boring. I end up hiking much more by myself because I don't want to sit around at camp for hours. My typical 2-day weekend backpack solo is between 25-30 miles given my track record. I load up podcasts and the like for my tent at night.
Looks like primo bear country. I hope you have plenty of spray. Do you ever think about sasquatch at night out there??
I never carry it, only seen 3 bears in the last 12 years of hiking.
Stumbled on the "Middle Prong Falls" about 30 years ago on a long creek hike with friends as a young man. We had no idea it was there, we didn't know it even had a name and I'll never forget seeing it. I've been looking for information on that waterfall recently and thinking of revisiting it 30 years later. We crawled up onto that rock about a third of the way up and then scrambled up the rhododendrons on the left side to the top. That waterfall is on the middle prong correct? Not on bear trap? Is the easiest way to get to it to take the Haywood gap trail and get on the creek at that crossing with the 15 foot waterfall and follow the creek up? Back in the day we just literally jumped on the creek and hiked it all the way up.
It is easily the most astounding waterfall I have ever stumbled upon. We never expected to see anything like that. Truly unforgettable.
That is definitely a hard waterfall to stumble upon lol. It is on Middle Prong. I read the best way to reach it was to scramble down the bank and a creek walk will take a while if you are looking to avoid steep bank scrambles.
Love your videos. Green Knob is my absolute favorite hike. Did you know going into it that there's lots of bear activity up there?
I know there's a decent amount of bears in the area and I hung a bear bag, but I never worry about bears when I hike.
Yes, me either. Just wondered if you were aware of that area in particular, since you camped there for the night.
And your knowledge of the mountain ranges is pretty impressive!
Thanks, I read up a lot
The campsite you used was where I camped way back in 2008 or so. After I set up camp I dumped all of my stuff in the tent and went for a walk and got totally lost. Utterly and completely turned around. I actually panicked as the sun was setting and only after I calmed myself down did I get my head on straight and figure out how to hike back to where my tent was pitched. One of the dumbest things I've ever done.
Sounds like a bad experience
It sucked. I haven't repeated it, although I have temporarily gotten lost a few times since. It did teach me not to panic again and thus my moments of being lost have been just that--lasting only a few minutes.
How far west of the intersection of the MST and Green Mountain Trail is that campsite with all of the views?
Only a few hundred feet
Man, u got to set your dvr so u want miss any of the game and u can zip thru the commercials. Lol. I like those views of shining rock wilderness u had looking from the west side. I know you r not suppose to have campfires in middle prong but did I c some fire pits? Have u ever hiked to summit of looking class rock? The views up there are as good as I've seen. I hope u got the cords for that campsite, I may camp there sometime. Thanks for sharing
Well my friends were going to a bar, so a dvr would've meant I had to watch it at home. I ended up getting there at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, so it was fine. I saw fire rings at almost all of the established campsites sadly, even though they are banned. One of the only groups I saw made a fire, but I didn't have the heart to tell them it's banned. I've never hiking to Looking Glass Rock, but it's on my list. The GPS coordinates are saved, they'll eventually be up on HikingUpward.
Sour Patch Kids candy ? Ill have to remember to take that along on next hike trip ! LOL Do Bears like those ?
It's one of my favorites, and I load up on sugar for my hikes.
ok , its loading up on the sugar that helps on long hikes , I get it now !
Yes my breakfast is just a donut and soda, then I drink Gatorade I mix during hikes and lots of trail mix.
I want to ask you a different kind of question ? What does your family think about you doing these kinds of Hikes ? I do a lot easier hikes and never real long hikes like you do , but still my family cant understand why I do it ! LOL
They're usually fine with it I guess, I don't really know. It's not like I update them weekly on where I'm going, too old for that.
hikes like this one , do you at least tell someone your route plans just in case some accident happens ?
For this kind of hike yes, I tell someone my destination and when I should be done, call the forest office if I don't text I'm out
ok that's good , im really impressed of your knowledge of all the mountain peaks , you seem to know the name of almost every peak anywhere your at ! you should consider doing your own book ? lol
It's something I've considered but there's a lot of good recent books that I use and it's hard to think of a different angle on the NC hiking book. For me it'd have to be something vastly different from your typical waterfalls, North Carolina, or NC regional book. Plus I'm pretty busy as is.